Arts & Culture Actor John Witherspoon Dies at 77
October 31, 2019
By City News Service
Friends and family were taking to social media to remember John Witherspoon, after the actor the who appeared in the “Friday” film trilogy and The WB comedy “The Wayans Bros.” died Tuesday in Sherman Oaks at the age of 77.
“It is with deep sadness we have to tweet this, but our husband & father John Witherspoon has passed away,” according to a tweet posted on Witherspoon’s Twitter account Tuesday night. “He was a Legend in the entertainment industry, and a father figure to all who watched him over the years. We love you ‘POPS’ always & forever.”
Witherspoon portrayed the father of the character played by Ice Cube in “Friday” and its sequels “Next Friday” and “Friday After Next.”
“So...my Dad died today & honestly I’m not sure how to feel,” tweeted Witherspoon’s son J.D. Witherspoon. “I’m sad, but I’m also happy 4 all the great times we had together.
We’d roast each other like homies more than Father & Son, and I really liked that. He was my best friend & my idol.
Love U Dad...I'll miss u.''
Ice Cube tweeted: “I’m devastated over the passing of John Witherspoon. Life won’t be as funny without him.”
“This day began with such joy. And it’s ending with this heart wrenching news of John Witherspoon’s passing,” Arsenio Hall tweeted. “One of our comic brothers. RIP.”
“My dad, my grandpa, my comedic inspiration! I love you Spoons!” actress Regina King tweeted. “Rest In Paradise, King.”
“RIP my brother. You will be missed. Mannnnnnn this is a hard one,” actor David Alan Grier tweeted.
From actress Jackee Harry: “I’m absolutely shattered at the news of my great friend John Witherspoon passing. May love surround his entire family and fan base -- a comedy legend we’ll never forget.”
And from actress and comedian Marsha Warfield: “I’m so sorry to hear this. To me, Spoon was a friend, a brother, a funny, talented comedian and a good man. He was the first comedian I met when I got to Los Angeles, and he never hesitated to share leads, advice, contacts, introductions or anything else. ...”
Witherspoon’s other film credits included “Boomerang,” “Little Nicky,” “House Party,” “Vampire in Brooklyn” and “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka.”
He made his first television appearance in 1977 on the short-lived NBC variety series “The Richard Pryor Show.” He also appeared in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and “The Tracy Morgan Show.”